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Pet Obesity Month: A call to action for healthier, happier pets

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Obesity

Pet Obesity Month: A call to action for healthier, happier pets

It’s Pet Obesity Month, making it the perfect time to reassess your pet’s health and nutrition.  Dr Karien Brink, Veterinarian at Hill’s Pet Nutrition, says that pet obesity is the number one health risk for pets.  She notes that 90% of pet parents are unaware that their pets are overweight and with more than 50% of pets affected, this is a significant risk to their health and well-being.

How can you tell if your pet is overweight? Dr Brink suggests asking yourselves these three questions:

  1. Does your pet struggle to catch their breath when going for a walk or climbing the stairs?
  2. Have they become noticeably less active and eager to play?
  3. Are they looking a little bit rounder – their ribs are difficult to feel, they have a broader back, a severe abdominal bulge, and/or fat deposits around their neck and tail?

“We know pets who are overweight are less happy, live shorter lives, and are at a higher risk of developing arthritis, urinary conditions, skin problems, heart disease, and cancer,” says Dr Brink. “Your pet does not have to be obese to be at risk of these health concerns. Carrying just an extra kilogram or two can affect your pet.”

If you think your pet may be overweight, Dr Brink recommends visiting your vet for an assessment.  Your vet can recommend the best plan if your pet needs to shed a few kilos.  Dr Brink shares the below tips for pet parents who are embarking on their pet’s weight management journey:

  • Keep a check on treats – extra treats and human food can quickly produce additional calories and kilos. If you want to treat your pet, think of alternatives rather than food, such as a new toy, extra playtime, snuggles, and games.
  • Get active – play a game of catch with your dog in the park or garden, to keep your dog moving.  They will also love quality time.
  • Take a walk – a stroll around the neighbourhood or park is a great way to keep your dog moving and, if you can, include some obstacles and different terrains, to challenge your dog a little more.
  • Engage with your cat – boxes, pet tunnels, and a crumpled piece of paper are activities that will provide fun and exercise for your cat.
  • Discuss diet with your vet – Whether your pet needs to lose weight or maintain a healthy one, ask your vet for the best-suited food options.  Studies have shown that 88% of pets lost weight in just two months, with a reduction in body fat of up to 28% when being fed Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic or Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic + Mobility.   
  • Follow the feeding guidelines on the pack – to prevent overfeeding, weigh your pet’s food, place it in the Hill’s feeding cup, and cut the cup to the correct level. Alternatively, use a weight measuring cup.  This helps to ensure that whoever is feeding your pet is giving the right amount of food each time.

Obesity

Dr Brink says, “Calorie counting and reducing portion sizes is not sustainable and inevitably your pet will put on weight they have lost.  Instead, pet parents should feed a food that encourages fat burning instead of fat storing, helping pets lose weight effectively and keep it off.”   

Pet Obesity Month serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining our pet’s weight.  Dr Brink concludes, “By making informed choices about nutrition and exercise, our pets can live a longer and healthier life – enjoying it to the fullest.”

For more information visit the Hill’s website

Source: Hill’s Pet Nutrition

Have you booked their next vet visit?

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vet

Have you booked their next vet visit?

Vet Checkups & Blood Work for Senior Cats

Although it might be tempting to skip regular trips to the veterinarian when your aging cat appears healthy, however, appearances can sometimes be deceiving. Blood work on your cat needs to be done regularly in order to screen for common diseases in older cats. Here’s why it’s so important to take your older cat to the vet.

Wellness Checks for Senior Cats

Cats age much more rapidly than humans. Although the rate varies somewhat cat to cat, depending on factors such as body weight and lifestyle, generally speaking, a cat is considered middle-aged by the time she’s 6 years old. By the age of 10, cats are considered geriatric. At some point between these ages, typically around 7 years old, cats should begin having biannual senior wellness exams and testing to check for diseases and other health issues that cats are more prone to develop as they age. Getting your senior cat checked and having her blood work done every six months will provide her with the best chance of early detection. This could make treatment easier and more effective in many cases. In some cases, it could even save her life.

Common Diseases in Older Cats

While cats can get sick at any age, there are a number of health conditions that cats become more susceptible as they age. The most common is chronic kidney conditions that affect 3 out of 10 cats, says Pet Health Network. Other conditions common to aging cats include the following:

  • Hyperthyroidism
  • High blood pressure
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Cancer
  • Organ failure
  • Arthritis and other joint issues
  • Feline dementia and other cognitive disorders

vet

Cat Blood Work

Wellness checks for senior cats will typically include comprehensive blood work to test for these common diseases. Typically, this will include a complete blood count to check the number of red and white blood cells as well as platelets. A biochemistry profile will be done to check organ function and detect whether your cat has diabetes. Your vet will also conduct a urinalysis to check kidney function and screen for urinary tract infections, certain types of cancer and other illnesses, and a separate thyroid test to check thyroid function. Your cat may also be given the symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) test to screen for kidney disease. This is a newer test that can detect kidney disease months to years sooner than standard methods of kidney screening, says Pet Health Network. An SDMA test could vastly improve your kitty’s outlook if she’s diagnosed with kidney problems. Check with your vet to see if this test is included in your cat’s routine wellness testing. If not, you might consider requesting it.

Caring for Cats With Health Conditions

If your kitty is diagnosed with a chronic illness, be prepared for her routine care to change. Depending on the condition, she may require more frequent visits to the vet to treat and monitor her condition. In addition to medications, your vet may place her on prescription cat food to help manage her condition. You may also need to make changes to her environment. For example, for an arthritic cat you may need to switch her litter box to one with lower sides so that it is easier for her to climb into, and provide steps up to her favourite sunny spot. Whether or not your older kitty is diagnosed with a health condition, it’s important to keep a sharp eye on your aging cat and report any changes in weight, mood, behaviour, or bathroom habits to your vet. Such changes could be symptoms of illness. Don’t wait until your cat’s next routine checkup to have her checked out by your vet.

Some cats sail through old age with few or even no significant health problems. Still, schedule regular checkups and blood work to help catch diseases early, helping to hopefully lengthen your cat’s lifespan and improve her quality of life as she ages. Please, check with your veterinarian regularly to insure proper care.

Source: Hill’s Pet Nutrition

The South African Animal Physical Rehabilitation Association (SAAPRA) highlights the dangers of OBESITY amongst pets

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The South African Animal Physical Rehabilitation Association (SAAPRA) highlights the dangers of OBESITY amongst pets

The words tubby, flabby or fatty should not be words used by your friends during a braai to describe your beloved pet. Weight gain should not be preventing them from being unable to join you for a snuggle in bed as they cannot make it up the stairs. Unlike wild animals, who spend a great deal of energy catching or looking for food, our spoilt fluffballs have the luxury of only having to follow their nose to the delightful kitchen which contains an assortment of fine treats.  This means our pet’s energy intake (food consumed) outweighs their energy output (seeking food) placing them in a “positive” energy balance. You may be thinking that “positive” is a good thing right? Not in this case, as any extra energy is converted into adipose (fat) tissue. We as caring owners, therefore, need to think of ways in which we can increase our pets’ energy output to help restore the energy balance.

Firstly, look at what you are feeding your little -or maybe not so little- rascal. A well-balanced diet devoid of any treats is the first step in correcting this balance. You may think that it is just “one little doggy biscuit” however, that biscuit is the equivalent to one hamburger a day for us. Think what would happen to your waistline should you eat a hamburger a day on top of your usual daily intake!  If you absolutely need to give Fido a treat because he is looking at you with “those eyes” then please stick to apples or carrots. You may feel bad initially but remember that obesity can reduce the lifespan of your dog by 2 years and your cat by 5 years.  Think of all the walks, cuddles, kisses, and love you will miss out on all because you could not say NO.  

Next, exercise, exercise, exercise.  It is a fun way to increase your pet’s daily energy expenditure and we all know that Covid has not been kind to our own physique. There is growing evidence that overweight owners were more likely to own overweight animals. Take up the challenge and change both you and your fur baby’s way of life. Start slow, with short daily walks during the cooler hours of the day, and gradually increase the speed and distance. Have a pet with arthritis who just can’t manage to go for walk anymore? Fat itself is an inflammatory process so any arthritis that your golden oldy may have will be contently made worse by the chronic inflammation from the fat as well as having to lug around the extra weight.  Weight loss in itself can improve the quality of life of these precious pets and frequently you will find that you can even decrease the amount of pain medication that they require to keep them comfortable. So if this is your pet, consult with your veterinarian to help you get their pain under control, and then the next stop should be your veterinary physiotherapist.  Hydrotherapy (i.e., swimming) is great in these cases as the buoyancy afforded by the water allows the pet to exercise with minimal weight on the joints. A veterinary physiotherapist will also be able to use other modalities such as a laser, transcutaneous electrostimulation, or massage to relieve your pet’s pain and thereby increase their mobility. 

Thirdly, remember each animal is an individual. Just because your sister is able to eat three hamburgers a day and look great in a bikini, it does not mean you can pull off the same stunt.  Some breeds are predisposed to be weight gain such as a Labrador, who just looks at cookies and puts on the weight. Age also plays a role and pets (like us) have a decreased metabolic rate and usually a decreased activity level as they get older. Sterilisation, coupled with the resultant decreased activity levels (no longer off to wander the roads looking for a mate), decreased metabolic rate and an increased appetite can predispose your pet to weight gain. Feeding a diet lower in calories can help prevent the battle of the scale in the first place.

If you have tried all the above-mentioned and your pet is still a roly-poly, then it is time for a check-up with your local Dr. Dolittle. Conditions such as cushings and hypothyroidism can lower your pet’s metabolic rate, leading to diseases that can be detected in your pet’s blood. There are also fantastic weight loss clinics at many veterinary practices due to increasing in pet obesity within South Africa. These clinics are free of charge, have great resources, and could help you find out what could be causing Felix to be a Garfield.

Please, we know you love them and want only the best for them so do not fall into the obesity trap. Should you be unsure if your pet is overweight or not, make an appointment with your veterinarian or veterinary physiotherapist. Studies have revealed that 22% of dog owners and 15% of cat owners thought their pet’s weight to be normal, when in fact they were either overweight or obese. Obesity is a silent killer predisposing your pet to high blood pressure, cancers, heart and respiratory disorders as well as diabetes.

So don’t ‘paws’ – act now and give your pet the maximum love with a balanced lifestyle each and every day.

Source: SAAPRA

Doggy diets: Working from home means pets are being fed more

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Working from home means pets are being fed more

Brad Mitchell said it was easier to notice during lockdown when Chrissy didn’t have food so she was fed more. Image: Brad Mitchell

For Brad Mitchell, being at home during the country’s coronavirus lockdown meant he noticed his cat’s food bowl was empty.

As a result, Chrissy was fed more.

Mitchell said Chrissy used to be fed twice daily when her owners were working from  offices.

“I think we’re more aware of when she’s hungry or when her bowl is empty because we are at home. During the lockdown, it was easier to notice when she didn’t have food so she was fed more,” he said.

Chrissy’s story is not unique.

A recent survey by Hill’s Pet Nutrition found that Covid-19 had a profound effects on pets by fuelling obesity.

Hill’s pet behaviour expert Marycke Ackhurst said 50% of pets are overweight, and it was alarming that 90% of pet parents didn’t realise this.

Recent research undertaken in the US revealed that more than 71% of pet professionals said the pandemic has affected the way pets were eating. More than 30% of pet parents surveyed who have overweight pets said their pets had become overweight since the start of the pandemic.

Monalisa Senne, an owner of three dogs, said she has noticed two of the dogs gained weight during the lockdown.

“I have had the two for a year and they have gained a lot of weight. I didn’t understand why. I used to walk my dogs but during the lockdown it didn’t happen. We could no longer walk so when they gained weight I thought it was because of that,” said Senne.

The 28-year-old said she has been feeding her dogs the same amount of food they had  been eating before lockdown.

“I won’t say I have been feeding them extra. I have fed them the same way for years. I didn’t think it was something I should worry about. I thought it was because they were happy with me at home,” she said.

Cath Jenkin, Durban-based writer and stay at home dog mom, said: “Yoda has deeply enjoyed the experience of having his humans at home 24/7 and has relished the experience of regular snacks. Possibly a little too much, so it’s back to more walks with his mom and dad soon.”

“On ‘love your pet day’, celebrated on February 20, Hill’s Pet Nutrition is drawing attention to pet obesity and that, contrary to popular belief, your pet’s love for you is not associated with food,” said Ackhurst.

She said pet parents get an emotional boost when feeding or giving treats to their pets.

“Having an emotional relationship with food can both create the problem of pet obesity and ultimately solve it by changing what’s in their bowl. One of the easiest steps is to start with better nutrition and to be more aware of your feeding habits and the effect these have on your pet,” said Ackhurst.

The survey showed 49% of pet parents said they would be willing to go on a diet to help their pet lose weight, while 31% said they would be willing to stop checking their social media for a month to help their pet lose weight.

Vets advise pet parents of the following to help manage their pet’s weight:

  • 92% say giving fewer treats will help dogs and cats lose weight;
  • 91% say exercise is an important element; and
  • 49% agree with pet parents that keeping their pets at a healthy weight during the pandemic is harder than before.

Source: TimesLIVE

Pet obesity; still the number one health problem pets face

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Pet obesity

October is Pet Obesity Month and Hill’s Pet Nutrition is shining the light on this, as obesity remains the number one health problem faced by South African pets. Marycke Ackhurst, pet behaviour expert from Hill’s Pet Nutrition says that coming out of five months of lockdown many pet parents have found their fur babies are a little heavier than they should be. For many this would have been because of less activity, increased stress and indulgent eating as we were all faced with a “new normal.”  

Ackhurst says that there are several things that pet parents can do, to not only help their pet reach their ideal weight but also to maintain it. “A pet often gains weight gradually, and pet parents don’t even notice it until someone else points it out.” She says that the most important things pet parents can do are:

  • Accept the feeding amounts on the pet food packaging as a guideline only. Each pet is different and therefore their food allowance may differ. Lifestyle, age and health all play a role in the amount of food your pet should be consuming.  If you aren’t sure, chat to your vet who will be able to guide you or visit petslimmer.co.za. 
  • Check your pet’s body condition score on a regular basis and adjust feeding accordingly. Pet parents can visit PetSlimmer.co.za for guidance on how to do this.  Ackhurst says that weighing your pet at home can be challenging depending on your pet’s size and nature. She says the easiest way she has found, if you are able to pick your pet up, is to weigh yourself first and then to pick up your pet and weigh the both of you. Then subtract your weight from the combined total to gauge your pet’s weight.  
  • Knowing when your pet is overweight. Being able to feel your pet’s ribs without pressure is the most important guideline. It should feel like running your hand over your slightly arched knuckles.
  • Daily activity is important – whether it be a walk, playing in the garden or an activity that uses your pet’s brain, to use up energy.
  • Remember that in general it is healthier for your pet to be a little underweight rather than a little overweight.

“Something that many pet parents don’t know is that when their puppy or kitten is sterilised their food needs to be adjusted, as they have a reduction in their energy requirements immediately,” advises Ackhurst.  As pets get older and become less active, their energy needs also lessen and so should their food intake.   

A growing trend that Ackhurst identifies is ‘ditching the food bowl’ and though it may not be suitable for all pets and pet parents, it can help pets lose weight and keep in shape. The main principle of this concept is to make the pet work for their entire, or at least half, of their daily food consumption. Their food allowance can be used either while training or playing training games. Food enrichment toys such as treat balls, puzzles or even games such as hide and seek where the pet parent hides the food in different locations and the pet needs to find it are all good ways to burn up energy. “Remember to start on a very easy level and then to increase the level of difficulty as your pet grasps the concept. If you start out on a difficult level your pet may get frustrated and give up,” advises Ackhurst. 

Some other ways Ackhurst suggests pet parents can keep their pets active are to incorporate active training games into daily activities, providing food dispensing toys, play fetch games and tug of war.

South African vets are continuously faced with patients who are overweight and have related health problems. In fact, more than half of the patients they treat are overweight. “It is important for pet parents to remember that the feeding guidelines are only a starting point and will need to be adjusted regularly to make sure pets stay in shape. Just as each human is different so are our pets and the amount of energy they require per day,” concludes Ackhurst.

For more information visit the Hill’s Pet Slimmer website 

Pet obesity

Source: Hill’s Science Plan

#PetObesityMonth: A pet slimming programme

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#PetObesityMonth

If your dog is a good walker, why not take him with you when you go jogging or cycling? Photo submitted.

While it may not feel like it now, before we know it summer will be here, meaning there’s no better time than the present to get yourself and your furry friend into shape, advised Hill’s Pet Nutrition.

Marycke Ackhurst, pet behaviour expert from Hill’s Pet Nutrition explained, “As the weather gets warmer many of us will be focusing on our diet and exercise regime. So, if your pet is carrying a bit too much winter weight, why not join the petslimmer.co.za programme for eating guidelines, weight-loss assistance and exercise tips for your furry friend?”

She added, “Pet parents take pride and joy in knowing that the love and attention they give their pets can be seen by others. Hearing your pet is overweight can be more heartbreaking than hearing it about yourself. When it comes to loving our pets, we often think that the more we treat them, the more we love them. However, when that attention is too much food and not enough exercise, then it can become a weight problem which can lead to serious health issues.”

The challenge, she said, can lie in trying to schedule exercise time into our already jam-packed lives.

“Exercising your pet doesn’t have to be time-consuming though and can very easily fit into your daily life,” Marycke said.

She recommended trying to incorporate the following:

For dogs:

  • Instead of a leisurely stroll, why not pick up the pace a little and get your and your dog’s heart rate going, which will help the extra layers melt away? Adding a little resistance training by walking on different surfaces or climbing over tree trunks or benches is also recommended. Remember to be responsible when walking your dog – pet parents should always ensure that they walk their dogs in an area that is dog-friendly and if your dog does not play well with others, please ensure that he is on a leash
  • Do you have stairs at home? Get your dog to follow you up and down them a few times a day. If they need some persuasion, throw their favourite toy up and down the stairs, creating a fun game. Remember to alternate arms so that you can get a good arm workout in the process.
  • If you have access to a swimming pool, dam, river or the beach, and your dog is water-happy, this is a great way to get them to exercise and have fun at the same time. Never leave your pets in water unattended and ensure that they know how to get out by themselves should they need to. Swimming is great exercise for older pets, as it has less impact on their joints.
  • If your dog is a good walker, why not take him with you when you go jogging or cycling, as long as it is in a safe environment for him to do so.
  • If your dog’s fitness is a little questionable, why not build them up to a jog or cycle with you by increasing distance and speed over time? Always make sure this is done in a safe environment and don’t allow your dog off his leash in traffic-heavy areas. Even the most well-trained dogs can take fright.

For cats:

  • Cats love toys and playing, so having these easily accessible encourages them to play and keep active. Some great options are balls, ping pong balls, or even a scrunched-up piece of paper. A wand, cat tickler and high scratch post encourages hunting, running and jumping.
  • Boxes are also entertaining for cats. You can place these around the house and encourage them to climb in and out of an empty box.
  • Many cats love playing hide and seek. Hide their toy and have them run through the house to find it. Your cat will love this quality time with you and won’t even realise that they are exercising.
  • When feeding your cat, change her feeding place on a regular basis so that she can ‘hunt’ for her food. Placing the food on a raised area will also make her work that little bit harder.

“What you are feeding your pet, and how much, play a pivotal role to their weight. Sixty-eight per cent of pet parents don’t follow feeding guidelines, which is frightening as this is integral to weight loss and weight management. If you are unsure of how much you should be dishing up, ask your vet who can guide you on the correct quantity for your pet,” Marycke said.

She added that exercising your pet means that you are dedicated to their health, spending time with them, and their overall well-being. However, before you start any new exercise regime, be sure to consult your vet and start your pets off slowly to ease them into their new active lifestyle.

“There are many factors that need to be taken into consideration before adding new exercises, such as their age, fitness level and breed. Some pets are not able to handle certain types of exercise, but will thrive on others.”

Visit www.petslimmer.co.za for more information and details of how to get your pet in shape this summer.

Source: Randfontein herald

When puppy fat becomes a problem

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When puppy fat becomes a problem

Excess weight in pets can decrease their life expectancy by up to two-and-a-half-years. Picture: Supplied

You may think your dog has a little “puppy fat” or that your cuddly cat is just the cutest thing, but for pets, even carrying a little extra weight can have huge health implications. 

It’s important to be aware of your pet’s weight, as proper growth and weight can help prevent many diseases and disorders associated with obesity, as well as growth-related skeletal disease – extending their lives, making them more comfortable, and delivering massive savings on veterinary bills.

Worldwide, obesity is a massive health problem for humans

According to the World Health Organisation, 39 percent of adults are overweight. In South Africa some studies indicate that almost 70 percent of women and 39 percent of men are overweight or obese. Sadly this trend extends to our pets too – South African vets say that more than 50 percent of pets they treat are overweight or obese.

Love is blind

9 out of 10 pet parents of overweight pets mistakenly identify their pet’s weight as normal. This is widely referred to as the “Fat Gap” and is a key factor in the pet obesity epidemic. Pet obesity is a serious health risk and sadly 92% of pet parents don’t see it that way. 30 percent of pet parents don’t check their pet’s weight, but the reality is that they just don’t see that their pets are overweight.

Pet obesity is the number one health risk pets face

Excess weight in pets can decrease their life expectancy by up to two-and-a-half-years, putting them at a higher risk of disease. Pet obesity has been linked to more than 20 ailments, including arthritis, urinary conditions, skin problems, heart disease and cancer. 

“If you think fat pets are happier, think again – overweight pets have been shown to be less happy,” says Dr Guy Fyvie, nutritional advisor for Hill’s Pet Nutrition South Africa.

Visible signs that your pet may be overweight include not being able to feel their ribs anymore; loss of a discernible waist; pads of fat over their hips and base of their tail; a ‘waddle’ rather than a ‘walk’; difficulty moving; overheating; shortness of breath and bad temper.

Pet parents’ behaviour often plays a major role in their animals being overweight “Treating our loved ones with food is a way we can show them how much we love them. It’s part of our culture and tradition,” says Carla Bath, marketing manager at Hill’s Pet Nutrition South Africa. 

“But that shared stick of dry wors reflects the emotional part that makes obesity a complex condition that’s tough to beat.”

The right food can help

Sticking to a diet is difficult; much like it is for humans. But cutting your pet’s portion sizes or restricting calories is not going to help. Rather feed your pet a food like Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic, based on the science of nutrigenomics, that’s ignites the metabolism of your overweight pet to work like that of a lean pet.

Source: IOL

 

 

How The Pet Effect Can Affect Your Practice

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Most pet owners are intuitively aware of the many benefits of pet ownership. But backing up these instinctive beliefs with real data can have a massive effect — The Pet Effect, to be exact.

A joint venture by Zoetis and the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), The Pet Effect campaign promotes the idea that by keeping pets healthy, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and other pet health professionals are key players in both human and public health.

“How much more relevant is the veterinarian when the pet owner becomes acutely aware of the impact that a healthy relationship with a pet can have on their own health and wellbeing, or their family’s health and wellbeing?” asked Michael McFarland, DVM, DABVP, Executive Director, Zoetis Petcare Marketing.

People and The Pet Effect

The Pet Effect website promotes the positive impact of pets on people by providing research-backed evidence, presented in clever, fun, and unique ways, of the many health benefits of having a furry friend:

  • Childhood Allergies: Having a dog early in life can affect immune development and may reduce the development of certain allergies.
  • Heart Attack Survival: People who never owned a cat have a 40% higher relative risk of death from a heart 
  • attack.
  • Cardiovascular Disease: Being around pets can lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
  • Autism: Children with autism spectrum disorder often experience positive behavioral changes when they are around animals.
  • Obesity: Adults who walk their dogs regularly may be less likely to become obese.
  • Blood Pressure: People with pets may have lower resting blood pressure.
  • Depression: Pets can help alleviate several symptoms of depression.
  • Posttraumatic stress disorder: Pets help alleviate the symptoms of PTSD.

Veterinarians and The Pet Effect 

While understanding how pets affect human health is important, what’s perhaps even more important for veterinarians is to understand how The Pet Effect can benefit veterinary practices.

In the age of Dr. Google, pet owners often seek information about what their pets need from online sources—not just their veterinarian. But The Pet Effect has the power to change that.

“The more the veterinarian can educate the pet owner about their pet’s needs, but also about how their pet can influence the health and wellbeing of their family, then that veterinarian becomes increasingly…relevant in the eyes of the pet owner,” Dr. McFarland said.

The Pet Effect better defines the relationship between the veterinarian and pet owner, and actively discussing The Pet Effect with veterinary clients can:

  • Encourage them to bring their pets into your office more often for wellness visits.
  • Improve practice performance, because research shows that top-performing practices put more stock in improving the human-animal bond rather than improving the bond between the practice and pet owners.

“Companion animal veterinarians…are also a key contributor to public health,” Dr. McFarland said. “The more pet owners understand that, the more I think they are going to consider veterinarians first and foremost as a credible source of information about their pet.”

Source: American Veterinarian

Can a Cough Kill Your Cat?

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Nobody enjoys a kitty coughing, especially when it’s such an uncommon trait in cats. Read on to learn more about the causes, treatments and preventions so your cat remains cough-free and healthy.

Different causes can bring about coughing in cats. Some are less complicated than others so it’s vital to get it checked by your vet as it could potentially be life-threatening if left untreated.

Causes:
Coughing is generally a means of preventing a build-up of foreign objects and secretions in the airways. It can, however be prompted by the following:

  • Allergies and asthma
    A cat’s air passages may become inflamed and contract when something agitates them, thereby making breathing difficult. The associated cough could be minor yet persistent.

    • Allergy and asthma triggers include:
      • mold
      • obesity
      • stress
      • perfume/essential oils
      • cigarette smoke
      • cat litter dust
      • pollen
  • Lung cancer
    Feline lung cancer may present itself in the form of a dry cough and the cat will usually appear lethargic. Medication can treat some tumors but if they fail to do so, surgery may be required. 
  • Tight collars
    Any pressure against your kitty’s windpipe can cause damage, resulting in coughing.
  • Heartworm Disease
    Heartworm is caused by infested heartworm larvae that spread via mosquito bites. One of the many symptoms of heartworm is coughing and preventative medication can be given to avoid this condition.
  • Aspiration pneumonia
    Aspiration pneumonia in felines can be caused by inhaling foreign matter from regurgitating gastric acid or vomiting. This then results in the cat’s lungs becoming inflamed.
  • Congestive Heart Failure
    Cardiac disease could be a reason for your kitty’s coughing spells. Your vet will conduct an electrocardiogram, X-ray, ultrasound or MRI to verify if the heart is, in fact, the reason for the coughing.
  • Respiratory Disease
    Coughing in cats could also indicate disease affecting the lower or upper respiratory tracts.

Helping Your Vet
To assist your vet in identifying the precise cause of the cough, you will need to give them a thorough account of the cough concerned:

  • Description: Does the cough sound wet (productive) or dry (unproductive)?
  • Time of occurrence: Night coughs could be associated with fluid in the lungs or cardiac failure
  • Triggers: Coughing during or after exercise could prove to be heart disease. If coughing occurs after consuming food, it could be attributed to issues with the larynx or the esophagus.

This knowledge is invaluable to the vet in identifying probable causes; conducting relevant tests to pinpoint a diagnosis and to remedy the cough with appropriate treatment. 

Treatment
The cause of the cough will determine the treatment administered.

Treatment options could vary between antibiotics, steroids, cough suppressants, other drugs or surgery. Always finish a course of antibiotics, even if the symptoms appear to have subsided.  Be vigilant in administering the prescribed dosages to your cat as over-dosage of these medications can be fatal.

Prevention
Take actions that will reduce the chances of your purring pal developing a cough by:

  • Regularly testing them for internal parasites.
  • Avoiding aerosol cleaners, perfumes and air fresheners that may agitate your cat.
  • Adhering to consistent feeding, play and cleaning schedules each day as cats are usually prone to falling ill when their routines change.
  • Buying cat litter that is dust-free and scentless.
  • Exercising your cat regularly so they maintain a healthy weight.
  • Never subjecting your feline fur ball to cigarette smoke.
  • Using a humidifier in dry air.
  • Ensuring your cat is protected from heartworm by giving them preventative medication.

Give your vet consistent updates about how your cat has responded to the prescribed treatment and any improvement of the cough or lack thereof. Follow-ups with your vet will be necessary for them to assess your cat’s progress and if medication needs to be adjusted. In some cases, ongoing treatment may be required for a kitty to make a full recovery.

Written for inFURmation
by Taliah Williamson